Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca
June 28, 2018 There were no major highlights this week. We are well into the summer doldrums, and things have been and likely will be relatively static for the next 4 weeks. Weather was seasonal, but the forecast heatwave will likely mean birds will not remain active as late in the morning. Among the WATERBIRDS, A late BUFFLEHEAD was at Shirley’s Bay on the 26th, and a late RING-NECKED DUCK at Britannia also on the 26th. 7 RUDDY DUCKS in Russell on the 24th are likely nesting. 3 LEAST BITTERNS were at Baie McLaurin on the 27th, and 2 were at Constance Creek on the 24th. A CASPIAN TERN has been seen from time to time on the Ottawa River between Britannia and Shirley’s Bay, and 3 BLACK TERNS were at Marais des Laiches on the 23rd. 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS in Constance Bay on the 26th, and a GRAY PARTRIDGE was in Kanata on the 26th (off Robert Grant). Thomas Dolan (Carp Ridge) is still excellent for both WHIP-POOR-WILL and COMMON NIGHTHAWK. A SEDGE WREN was on Stonecrest as late as the 23rd, and was sometimes vocal. At the same spot a SONG SPARROW was singing very much like a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, which species has been seen in the area. On the 26th a PINE SISKIN was seen and heard on Viewbank near Greenbank. Both CLAY-COLOURED and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were at Burnt Lands Provincial Park this week. There have been no recent reports from the northern reaches of the region, but the marshes in Quebec east of the Gatineau River and areas of the greenbelt in Ontario have had good diversity of species. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has amended our access procedure. You must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. The OFNC has provided DND with a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list has already been sent to DND this spring and will be updated occasionally. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. Good birding. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
